DUNEDIN — Community members from a host of different professions — from violinists to volunteer firefighters — stopped by Pinellas County schools Thursday to talk about what they do as part of the 20th-annual Great American Teach-In.

At Dunedin Elementary school, students learned about the Dunedin Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Dunedin Historical Society and got to check out a Duke Energy bucket truck. They also participated in a mock trial, learned about birds of prey, climbed through a tow truck and heard from a scuba diver, drummer and inventor.

“I like learning about different things I can be when I grow up, and it’s cool we get a break from class,” said 8-year-old Tristan Melton, a third-grader at Dunedin Elementary.

Each year, workers volunteer to speak about their jobs, exposing students to different employment opportunities, while companies and agencies devote employees and equipment to the event so they can highlight their roles in the community.

A big supporter every year is the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, which sent civilian employees and deputies, including its K-9 and helicopter units, to more than 75 schools in Pinellas and neighboring counties. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri spoke to students at Osceola Middle School in Seminole.